THREE ACRES AND A COW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

THREE ACRES AND A COW.

Ever since the Middle Ages the peasant has been crying out for his own little holding of three acres and a cow, and during the last few years special efforts have been made to provide him with his heart's desire. The British Small Holdings Act of 1907-8 have enabled some 15,176 small holdings to be created, in some cases by the landowners direct, and in others by the intervention of the county councils. A population of about 60,000 has thus been placed on the land under such conditions that economic well-being is almost ensured for them. They occupy about 200,000 acres, of which 37,000 have been let by owners direct; 104,000 have been purchased by the county councils, at a cost of three "and a third millions; and £0,000 acres are leased by the same bodies at an annual cost of £63,000. Only 15,000 have availed themselves of the opportunity to purchase the land outright. These new landholders are drawn from the class of the small tradesman and country artisan, much more than from the ranks of (lie agricultural labourer, only 29 per cent, being apportioned to the latter class in the last report. So far there seems to have been no great progress with the building that would appear to bo called for, as only 488 houses have yet been erected on the holdings, although a number of existing houses have been purchased by the councils for occupation by the holders. Generally the landowners and the local authorities appear to have worked together in friendly fash-on. but there arc exceptions; 436 compulsory orders have been made concerning 31,786 i acres.